31 actually useful iMessage features, tips, and tricks

Messages can be used across multiple devices, syncing between them all when signed into the same Apple ID. That means that, while most will use these tips on an iPhone, many of the tricks below work with your iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch too. Here are our best tips and tricks to help you get the most out of Apple's messaging platform.

1 Use replies to create different threads in the same conversation

How to reply to a specific message

Messages include a reply feature that can make it easier to follow different threads within the same conversation.

1. Open Messages.
2. Swipe left to right on a message.
3. Enter your message.
4. Tap the Send button.

Or:

1. Open Messages.
2. Tap and hold a message.
3. Tap Reply.
4. Enter your message.
5. Tap the Send button.

2 Improve privacy by turning off read receipts

How to turn off read receipts for a specific contact on iMessage

Like many modern chat platforms, iMessage offers read receipts. And while it can be a useful way to let friends and family know you’ve seen their text, you may not want everyone to have that privilege. To disable read receipts for a specific contact:

1. Open Messages.
2. Tap on the message thread of the person you want to turn read receipts off for.
3. Tap the contact name at the top of the interface.
4. Toggle off Send Read Receipts.

Siri will read your texts to you, you just have to ask. Try saying, "Hey Siri, read my messages."

3 Pin your favorite contacts to the top

Designating your favorite people keeps them at the top of the Messages app

If you message with a friend or family member frequently, you can pin their name and photo to the top of Messages for easy access. As an added bonus, conversations with your besties won't get lost when other people message you.

1. Tap and hold the message thread associated with the person you want to pin.
2. Select Pin.
3. To unpin a conversation, tap and hold the photo belonging to the person you want to remove from your favorites and tap Unpin.

You can pin up to six message threads. You can also add and remove pins by tapping Edit at the top of the main Messages interface and selecting Edit Pins.

4 Customize iMessage apps

Prioritize your most-used iMessage tools to access them in fewer taps

You probably don't need an explanation on how to send photos in Messages, but what you might not know is that iOS 17 introduced a shortcut that will save you multiple taps the next time you want to send your latest snaps to a contact. When sending a photo, instead of tapping "+", tap and hold the button. Doing so will automatically bring up your camera roll and image picker. You can also double-tap the "+" icon to jump directly to the second page of iMessages Apps menu. It's also possible to edit the order in which iMessage apps appear. Here's how:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Select a thread.
3. Tap the "+" button.
4. Tap, hold, and drag the app you want to move up or down the list.
5. To move an app between pages, tap, hold and drag it to the bottom or top of the current app list.

You can also remove apps from the list. Here's how:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Messages.
3. Select iMessage Apps.
4. Toggle off any apps you don't want to appear in your iMessage Apps list.

5 Silence one conversation, not everyone

How to silence notifications from a specific message thread

Sometimes you want to prevent someone from blowing up your iPhone, without silencing your phone completely. Here's how:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Swipe right to left on the message thread you want mute.
3. Tap the Bell icon.

To turn alerts back on, swipe right to left on the message thread again and tap the bell symbol again.

6 Share your location

How to share your current location with a contact in iMessage

We've all been there. You're waiting to meet a friend and the two of you can't find one another. The next time you find yourself in that situation, instead of sending a flurry of texts attempting to describe where you are, share your location. There are two ways to do this:

1. Open Messages.
2. Tap on the message thread of the person or group you want to share your location with.
3. Tap the "+" icon.
4. Select Location.
5. Tap the Send button.

Or:

1. Open Messages.
2. Tap on the message thread of the person or group you want to share your location with.
3. Tap on the profile profile of the person or group.
4. Tap Share My Location.
5. Select For 1 hour, Until End of Day or Indefinitely.

If you select 'Share Indefinitely,' you'll appear in that contact's Find My app, and they will also see your location at the top of their display when they tap on the information symbol under your contact name in your message thread in their Messages app.

7 Customize your name and photo

How to edit your name and photo in iMessage

With iOS 17, Apple revamped the operating system to give users more control over how their contact card appears when they text or call someone. Incidentally, the easiest way to edit your card is through Messages. Here's how:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap Edit.
3. Select Name and Photo.
4. Tap Edit.
5. Choose your photo by taking an image, selecting a Memoji, selecting Monogram or choosing from your Photo Library.

If you don't want iOS 17 to share your name and photo automatically with contacts, tap the dropdown menu next to Share Automatically and select Always Ask.

8 Create and send art to your friends

How to handwrite a message in iMessage

Did you know you can use Messages to send handwritten notes to your friends and family? It's not the most practical way to use the app, but it does add a bit of humanity and charm to your messages.

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap on the message thread of the person you want to send a handwritten message to.
3. Turn your iPhone horizontal.
4. Tap the squiggly line in the bottom right corner of the keyboard.
5. Start drawing or select one of the pre-written messages.
6. Tap Done.
7. Tap on the arrow to send.

9 Clear the clutter by quickly deleting messages

How to delete multiple message threads in iMessage

Most iPhone users know how to delete single conversation threads in Messages, but if I had to take a guess, a lot of people don't know they can delete multiple ones at once to save time.

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap Edit.
3. Tap Select Messages.
4. Select the message threads you want to delete.
5. Tap Delete.

Instead of Delete, you can tap Read All to mark a selection of messages as read.

10 Start a FaceTime right from Messages

How to make a FaceTime call from iMessage

If you're chatting with someone and want to jump on a FaceTime call with them, you don't need to open the FaceTime app. Instead, you can call them directly from Messages.

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap on the message thread of the person you want to FaceTime.
3. Tap on the FaceTime icon in the top right corner, and select FaceTime Audio or FaceTime Video.

The option to start a FaceTime call directly from Messages will only appear if the person you are trying to call has an Apple device connected to iMessage.